An infrared 3D scanning device as a novel limb volume measurement tool in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common complication of breast cancer treatment that affects one in five breast cancer survivors, yet there is no reliable method to detect lymphedema in the subclinical range. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and reliability of using an infrared 3D scanning device (ISD) as a peri-operative limb volume measurement tool. METHODS: Fifteen patients were analyzed based on inclusion criteria. Peri-operative measurements were obtained using tape measure and an ISD. Volumes were calculated using a standard algorithm for tape measure and a custom algorithm for ISD measurements. Linear regression models were used to assess ISD and tape measurement volume and circumference correlation. One-way ANOVA was used to compare change in percent difference at set time points post-operatively (2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, and 7-12 weeks) for both ISD and tape measure. t tests for unequal variances with the Bonferroni correction were performed among these groups. RESULTS: There is a positive linear correlation (R2 = 0.8518) between absolute volume measurements by the ISD and tape measure. Analyses over 2-10 weeks post-operatively showed that the ISD was able to detect volume changes in both the unaffected and the affected arm. Furthermore, the affected arm tended to have a greater increase in volume in the majority of patients, indicating these patients could be at risk for lymphedema. CONCLUSIONS: Technology utilizing infrared 3D scanners can reliably measure limb volume pre- and post-treatment similarly to tape measure in a small sample of patients. Further research using 3D scanning technology with a longer follow up is warranted.

An optimized HEK293T cell expansion protocol using a hollow-fiber bioreactor system.

Viral vectors are commonly used to introduce genetic material into cells to modify cell function for a variety of purposes. Manufacture of those modified viruses may use a variety of cell types to generate high titers of viral particles; one of the most common being HEK293 cells. These cells have been modified into different lines aimed at satisfying specific use cases. HEK293T cells, for example, have been modified to include the SV40 large T antigen. Efficient viral particle production by HEK293T cells requires the maintenance of favorable cell culture conditions during expansion and transfection. This protocol describes the use of the Quantum® hollow-fiber bioreactor (HFB) system for the automated expansion of HEK293T cells, and the results derived using the protocol described herein were not compared with those from tissue culture flasks or other expansion platforms, as the parameters described are unique to Quantum's hollow fiber cell expansion environment. The purpose of this protocol is to help users of Quantum to focus on relevant parameters of expansion in the HFB milieu and to provide guidelines for a successful expansion of HEK293T cells in the Quantum system. The steps provided have been optimized to reliably control environmental factors related to glucose, lactate, and pH. Data reflecting this consistency are provided along with procedural time points reflected in text and figure formats.

Monitoring Leg Lymphedema Over the Course of Therapy Using an Infrared System.

Background: There are many techniques of monitoring leg lymphedema during physical therapy. Taking volumetric measurements with a tape measure is among the most common clinically, and changes in volume are typically used to measure therapy efficacy. This study shows how the Kinect infrared (IR) sensor with custom algorithms can assess leg circumferences and volumes comparable with tape measurements taken by a trained therapist while exploring regional leg changes to determine uniformity of change. Methods and Results: Leg volumes were measured in 38 lymphedema patients using the tape measure circumference method and the Kinect IR system. Changes in circumferences in various leg regions over the course of therapy were analyzed in 23 patients. The leg circumferences (R2 = 0.9522) and volumes ( R2 = 0.9847) strongly correlated between the two methods. The Bland-Altman analysis indicated a circumference percent different bias of 1.6 (6.2%), requiring a minor correction factor between the two methods. Over the course of therapy, patients with a reduction in leg volume, defined as a change >6.5% have greater reduction most distal to the body. Conclusion: The Kinect IR system explored can be used clinically for leg volume measurements to monitor leg lymphedema patients over the course of their therapy. Implementing analysis of regional leg changes can better inform physical therapy to improve efficacy of treatment.

Evaluation of reagents used to coat the hollow-fiber bioreactor membrane of the Quantum® Cell Expansion System for the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The addition of a coating reagent to promote cell adherence is necessary to prepare the membrane surface of the Quantum® Cell Expansion System hollow-fiber bioreactor for the culture of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, the efficacy of 8 potential coating reagents has been compared in terms of the doubling times of their cell populations, cell morphology, characterization via flow cytometry, and capacity for trilineage differentiation. Human fibronectin (FN), pooled human cryoprecipitate (CPPT), and recombinant human vitronectin (VN) were successful as coating reagents, and each product has advantages in different cell culture contexts. Mesenchymal stem cells harvested from Quantum cultured with each of these 3 compounds as coating reagents all met International Society for Cellular Therapy standards for plastic adherence, surface marker expression, and successful trilineage differentiation. No significant differences were observed among the doubling times from Quantum harvests using FN, CPPT, or VN as coating reagents (P = 0.31). Coating with gelatin, human serum albumin, collagen I, poly­l­lysine, and poly­d­lysine resulted in significantly lower harvest yield; these agents are not recommended for use as coating reagents in the Quantum system.